Arthur munch



(No Model.)

A.'MUNOH. v

' GAME APPARATUS.

No. 547,799. Patented Oct. .15, 1895.

ARTHUR MUNCH, on s PATENT OFFICE,-

T. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

GAM E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,799, dated October15, 1895. Application filed February 1, 1895. Serial Ila. 537,031. (Nomodel) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR MUNCH, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and-State of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a game apparatus, and more particularly to onewhereby the game of billiards may be played on a small scale.

My object is to provide suitable apparatus for playing miniaturebilliards, which will be of tasteful design, yet compact, durable, andportable.

A further object is to provide the base or table on which the game isplayed with an improved adjustable guard-rail which will serve tocushion the impact of the balls therewith.

A still further object is to provide a billiard-cue of such constructionas to be especially adapted to be used in connection with my improvedgame apparatus and to permit the game being readily played when theplayers are seated about the table upon which the appliance is resting.

With these objects in view my invention consists in certain improvementsin the cushion guard-rail and the means for adjusting the same.

It further consists in an improved form of billiard-cue of such peculiarconstruction as to admit of the billiard-balls being properly impelledin any desired direction, no matter what their position on the board maybe, while the player is seated, which renders the game particularlydesirable for social gather- 1n s.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of mycomplete apparatus, 7

nection with my improved game apparatus,

dotted lines showing different positions of the impelling-spring.

A represents a rectangular base or table upon which the game is playedand the balls adapted to roll. The top of this table should be perfectlysmooth and level; but otherwise its construction may be varied, althoughit is generally desirable to have it covered with billiard-cloth to giveit a more attractive appearance. It is sometimes found preferable tomount this table upon legs, but I generally construct it as shown, sothat it may be placed upon a larger table when needed. Within this tableare formed the usual billiard-ball pockets, (not shown,) and as thesemay be of any desired shape and arrangement a mention of them willsuffice, as they do not enter into the novel features of my device. Atintervals along the side of the table A are situated a series ofeyebolts 1, through which one or more strands of any suitable materialhaving more 'or less elasticity-such, for instance, as the wire shown at2is adapted to pass. The free ends of this guard-wire are broughtthrough one of the eyebolts 1 and connected, thus forming a loop 3,which is adapted to be engaged by the adjusting devices which will nowbe described. A short upright or standard 4 is formed with an an gularportion which embraces one of the corners of the table A, being heldthereto by screws 5. Through the upper portion of this upright is anaperture 6, which is preferably in line with the eye in the eyebolt,through which the loop 3 passes. A threaded bolt 7, provided with ahooked end 8, is adapted to pass through the aperture 6. This hook 8en-, gages with the loop 3, and a threaded adj usting-nut 9, working onthe bolt 7, provides means whereby the hook may be drawn away from theeyebolt and the guard-wire 2 tightened. A guard-wire is thusprovided'which may be adjusted to the desired tension and which, owingto its springiness -0r elasticity,

permits of rebounding shots being made against it by the balls.

I will now proceed to a description of the improved form of one which Ifind it preferable to employ in the use of my game apparatus. Theconstruction of this cue may be readily. seen by inspecting Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, and the method of using it is shown in Fig. 1, where it isshown in position for a shot.

The stock of the one B may be of any suitable material and length; but Iprefer to form it of wood for the sake of lightness and of a length ofabout six or seven inches, as it may then be easily manipulated in theoperation of making a shot with one hand. It is also found desirable toform the one with a tapering end, as shown at 10, and to make the frontside flat, as at 11, in order that a flat impelling-spring 12 may be themore easily attached thereto by means of screws 13. The spring 12 isprovided at its free extremity with a button 14, which, for the sake ofcushioning its impact with the ball to be impelled, is covered withleather, felt, or like material. This spring is also provided with anaperture, as shown at 15, which serves a purpose hereinafter described.The reverse side of the one is grooved, as shown at 16, and this grooveis deepened at 17, so as to terminate at the end of the cue and at thecenter thereof. The groove 16 also connects with an aperture 18, leadingthrough the one and terminatingjust beneath the free end of the spring12. The mechanism which operates the impellingspring 12 consists of aspring-actuated rod 19, which lies within the groove 16 and one of theends of which is bent at substantially right angles to its length, as at20, passing through the aperture 18 and projecting from the cue in linewith and just beneath the aperture 15 to form a trigger 2], which isprovided with a series of notches 22, adapted to engage the spring 12when the said spring is depressed. The opposite extremity of the rod 19passes loosely through a metallic strap 28, affixed to the cue, and onthe outer end of the rod is a thumb-button 24. A coil-spring 25,interposed between the strap 23 and the button 21, acts to hold thetrigger in position for engagement with the impeding-spring 12. Ametallic retaining-strap 26 serves to hold the rod 19 within the groove16, and a reinforcing-plate 27 protects the cue from being injured bythe trigger at that point.

C C C 0 represent the billiard-balls, which may be of any desired size.

D D D D represent sets of beads or counters strung on wire aflixed toeyes projecting from the sides of the table A. These counters are usedto record the plays made when a game is in progress.

The one may be operated in the following manner: The impelling-spring isdepressed,

the trigger 21 passing through the aperture 15 and allowing the saidspring to engage one of the notches 22. A series of notches are providedin order that a light or heavy shot may be made, as the farther theimpelling-spring is depressed the heavier will be its blowon the ballwhen released. The one is then held in the hand, as shown with thetapered end 10 resting on the table A, and the button 14L in properrelation to a ball 0. When the thumbbutton 24 is depressed against theaction of the coil-spring 25, the trigger 21 is pressed forward and outof engagement with the impellin g-sprin g 12, which spring is released,allowing the button 14 to strike the ball and impel itin the requireddirection. To make another shot, the operation is repeated. Owing to thetapered end 10, the one may be held in any position to strike the ball,even allowing of its being placed beneath the guard-wire from theoutside, as when a ball lies against the said guard-wire, and it wouldbe difficult to use any other form of one to make a shot.

The game may be played the same as billiards, a one being provided foreach player and the counters being brought into use to record the plays.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a game apparatus, a billiard cue con prising the combination of anim-pelling spring afiixed to the side of the one, and a springactuatedrod having a bent portion provided with a series of notches, the saidbent portion being adapted to enter an aperture in the free end of theimpelling spring and to act as a trigger in combination therewith,substantially as described.

2. In a game apparatus, a tapered billiard cue comprising thecombination of a fiat impelling spring, and a rod having its freeextremity provided with a thumb-button, the other end being bent to forma trigger which is provided with a series of notches, the said bentportion being adapted to enter an aperture in the free end of theimpelling spring and the notches to engage therewith when the spring isdepressed,substantially as described.

In witness whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR MUNCIT. Witnesses:

CHRISTIAN MEYER, O. F. MEYER.

